Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-02-09
TIM AND HIS DOG.

TIM AND HIS DOG.
Ragged, starving, Lis thin face blue and
pinched with the cold, he stood. offering his
matches to the unheeding, h6rrying passers
by. 1t had been bitterly cold all day, and all
day he had trudgei the streets, trying in vain
to make a copper or two wherewith TO buy a
meal and pay for q shelter this bitter night
Homeless and friendless he stood there, claim
ing no home but the workhouse, calling none
friend but the terrier trembling at his heels.
An earnest little face he had, stamped with
that lock Of patience which is born only OF
suffering bravely endured. The clear cut
features were sharpened by cold and hunger,
the blue eyes piteous in their glance as he
scanned the faces in the moving throng. He
shivered every now and then as the keen wind
swept round the corner, blowing aside his
futtering rags and making the gaslight
flicker in the LAMPS; but his voice was cheer
full as he bent down to speak to the dog cow
ering at his feet.
Gold, Smut.,
Smut pressed q little closer to the boy
side, giving a monosyllable wag to his tail in
answer to his masters words
The slow minutes passed, and each moment
the boys hunger and weariness increased
"'Taint o no use, Smut" be said at length,
in tone Of detection; I'VE shan't sell To- night.
'Tis too windy fur the swells to smoke, and
when It's so cold they won't unbutton their
coats fur to take out penny"
The dogs tail droofed dejectedly, and he
heaved long sigh as he looked up question
ingly into his masters face.
keep up yer courage. Gle man." continued
the boy, with forced cheeriness. We'll do
better to-morrer. and we've spent windy
night on Blackfrisrs bridge afore now"
As he dragged himself wearily along the
brightly lighted Strand, he paused for mo
ment outside a confectioner's window. Flat
tening his face against the giass, be gazed
hungrily at the roast beef ard turkey ard
plum pudding so temptingly displayed within.
Through the grating from the kitchen below
came savory odors which filled the boy with
longing and the dog with restless excitement
They had eaten nothing since the morning,
and in this fasting condition night on Black
friars bridge was not cheering prospect.
Two ladies walking quickly up the street
were struck by the pathetic little figure
The brilliant light from the shop window fell
full upon the small pinched face and eager
blue eyes, upon the untidy shock of reddish
hair and the futtering rags The look OF
hunger was unmistak kable, and it moved the
elder lady to pity.
stop him for q moment, Edith; must
get him something to eat, she said, hastily
entering the shop.
The pretty. fair haired girl laid her hand
on the bows shoulder as he slowly turned
away from the window.
You are hungry she questioned, closely
examining the intense little face upturned to
hers
He nodded emphatically, looking up with
wondering ewes at this beautiful, low voiced
lady, whose cold, sweet tones seemed SO full
OF tenderness to him.
aYou are often hungryr she continued
Most always he answered, laconically.
-Well, here's q penny for you, and my
friend will bring you out something to eat in
q minute"
The boy was too much surprised to answer,
but his sharp eyes were full of gratitude as
he awkwardly touched his cap.
should you like to earn three pence to-
morrow morning." she asked, still regarding
the ooy with eager interest.
n'ei -, ao <,, ,hr;-
III i,,'-' ''-'Ae =
Pnoe .n S,,sou, s.r,,. ;sy-
..', :. ,.,. ,;,h, y h. said
-
p'onpS s,.,, hos. -, III. ,of, hand
n'e az .ne -" n..u sha s.;d sIn,yIx Can
s.ue s4N'' as - .t.,r,
H. - AIN his face briob, with in
.oi,;sa,,,.a .s he foIIove,, her directions
..T,, tr
60. =. n ,,,Io,l - sbs said .and ask for
NJ. ~ Ion, ro;ng ,o make a nicture
Of youNsens Won 10 the Grosvenor if YOU
.r~, =. s,,oo.,ss II vo,, ara n GOOD how Won
sb.u hav. three pence a day until the picture
i finished
Al this moment the other lady came out of
the sbop with a marcel in b~r hand.
4H.rs is something TO eat, INV boy," she
said in a com cortabIe. motherly wav. Take
il home and have a good meal. Now, Edith,
if YOU are ready"
He watched them silently till they'passed
out of sight. his eyes round with astonish-
ment
Here's a go,- he rurmured. as he turned
away from the brightly lighted window.
.Thripence a day-why, shall make my for
tun', Come, Smut, we'll find doorstep and
eat o,,r simmer. Oh, here's q go!'
Turning down q by street they soon found